I’m a bit behind on posting my latest trip. Better late than never! I got home from my second trip to reviveFLORIDA to a house full of sick boys. Usually I can take care of the little ones without getting sick, not this time. I got hit pretty hard, took last week to rest, rest, rest. But I'm feeling better and ready to get back at ‘er.

I wanted to share with you the latest paintings I did from week 4 of reviveFLORIDA. It was an awesome trip to end an incredible 4 weeks of revival in Sarasota.

“Me and My House”

God kept showing me a picture of a house lite up. I could see light shining through all the windows. It was the light of Christ, pouring out of the home, filling the neighborhood around.   As that family boldly lived for Christ, unashamed of the Gospel, the light was contagious, affecting all the homes around, eventually lighting up the whole neighborhood. I believe this is a prophetic picture of what’s to come. Is your home shining the light and love of Jesus through your family and how you live? Does your lifestyle reflect and attract Jesus to others? These are tough questions for many Christians, but in reality are we living out our faith and igniting others around us? Or are our lights only on when we feel and been turned down dimly by political correctness? It’s time we aren’t afraid to shine.

“How Beautiful”

This painting was one of the most peaceful, enjoyable times I’ve painted during revive. It was our Sunday service, I woke up and the peace of God came over me. I felt the Lord tell me to have fun painting in His presence today. Simply using color to convey a sense of what I felt. This is what came out of that experience.

“Keys to the Kingdom”

I love this visual. God gives us the keys to unlock breakthroughs in the spirit. We are in a season of unlocking. Whatever you need, God has the key for you. All you have to do is grab ahold and turn the key for more. After reflecting on this painting, I noticed I painted old keys. I think there is something to be said about that. Unlocking breakthroughs in the spirit isn’t something new, they are keys of the past that have always been there, they just need to be revived and re-used to unlock current situations. God has always given us the keys from the beginning of His plan. Old keys to unlock the new.

The next day after painting this piece, a woman came up to me with a gift she wanted to give me. On a trip to Israel, she had brought home old keys she had got. Beautiful old keys from Israel that were hundreds of years old. I almost cried. I felt such weight in the spirit receiving this gift; there is significance to these keys, keys to Israel. For any of you who following Time to Revive and Kyle’s messages, one of his missions is to prepare us for going to Israel. He received one of these keys as well. I feel what I wrote above applies, “old keys to unlock the new.” We are preparing for the New Jerusalem.

“Stop to Listen”

I painted this on a night where instead of a nightly worship service as usual, everyone split up into teams and went out to pray for people, sharing the love of Jesus on the streets. In our prep meeting before it began, in prayer I heard the Lord say, “stop for the one” “stop so you can listen to my voice.” I pictured a read stop sign. I felt like He was trying to tell me to remember to stop, wait on Him to give direction, rather than always going about things my way. When we simply take time to stop, call on the Holy Spirit and then wait to listen, we will hear what He is trying to tell us. If we don’t stop to hear Him more often, we could be missing so many opportunities that could potentially change someone’s life, or even our own. Sometimes we literally need a stop sign in front of us to stop. God is always speaking His directions to us.

“Liberated”

There are a lot of layers to this painting. Probably one of the most challenging paintings I’ve done so far on stage, because of all the elements I wanted to incorporate in such a short period of time. But I was up for the challenge. That day I went out on a team; all of our encounters were with people who are experiencing bondage to addiction. In prayer before we went out, I saw a picture of a butterfly. I felt like it was more for the idea of transformation. It totally made sense for all the people we prayed for that day. They all can be transformed into their true identity, set free from the bondages that hold them hostage, and flying into a new future. In Christ we are a new creation.

“By Your Fruit”

I love play on words. All day I couldn’t get the picture of oranges on a tree out of my mind. I know as cliché as it is that I am in Florida and oranges are fruit the state is known for, I had to paint it. I love it! Florida is known for their oranges.

We all know that, see the orange juice commercials, etc. I heard the Lord say, “and they will be known by their fruit.” He was referring to their spiritual fruit and the fruit of their harvest.

“Ripple of Purity”

This was our final night in Sarasota. What an amazing night to end 4 weeks of reviving the city. I could see a ripple in the spirit as Sarasota celebrates and continues on revival in the state. The pastors all gathered and ceremoniously passed on the “oranges” to the next reviveFLORIDA city, Manatee County. (Bradenton and Palmetto) We must never forget the ripple effect that can change a nation, all beginning from a single drop. The purity of the Gospel is always worth pursuing.

I wanted to thank The Harvest Church in Sarasota for hosting us for an amazing 4 weeks, you guys’ rock. Join us March 6-19, 2016 as revival spreads to Manatee County.  If you want to come and see, register at www.reviveflorida.org.  Would love to see you all there!

All Glory to Him,

Mindi

Wow, what a week we had 'setting the sails' in Sarasota, FL with reviveFLORIDA. I was so fortunate to spend last week down there taking part of a beautiful move of what God is doing.  Many churches uniting to be equipped to go out and share the simple Gospel.  People of all ages, walks of life, different denominations, all gathering to find their voice and love their community as ONE.  It's a beautiful thing to see and take part in.

My role on the Time to Revive team is to use the gifts the Lord has given me through creativity, to express what the Lord is showing me and speaking to me about.  There was an elevated anointing I felt in the Spirit this week.  For those who are stepping out in faith, taking the risk to see God move, hungry for more, many are witnessing "firsts" in their life.  I will explain what the Lord spoke to me about in the first painting I did, "The Launch."

01/18/16

A couple months before my trip to Florida, I had a dream in the night.  In this dream, I was in a rocket ship with a team.  We were ready to launch.  I remember the rumble of the engines ignite with fire as the rocket launched.  It was so real, the adrenaline, the excitement and anticipation of being launched into the unknown.  I felt the Lord showing me the new missions that were going to be launched this year. Greater levels and heights of what's coming.  I journaled the dream.  A couple weeks before I left for Florida, I was brushing my teeth before bed and out of no where an image of a vintage toy rocket ship flashed in my vision.  Immediately the Lord reminded me of my dream.  Then He showed me a picture of the outline of the state of Florida and it zoomed in on a picture of a launch site.  My immediate thought was, "is there an actual launch site in Florida?"  Of course there is, Cape Canaveral.  To make a long story short, I starting reading about Cape Canaveral and it mentioned that it was the site of many American's "firsts."  The word "first" jumped out at me and I heard the Lord say how he is doing many firsts for people who dare to believe and step out in faith.  I also felt Him say that this is a year of many launching into new levels.  

Out of obedience from this word, I painted "The Launch" the first night I was at reviveFLORDIA.  At the end of the evening, Laura Martin, wife to Kyle Martin, closed the evening.  She had the coolest testimony of a friend who sent her an email that reads:

"I got this email from a friend last week and I think it's true of TTR (Time to Revive) as well:  Hope you and your family had a splendid Christmas!  So wanted to share I was praying for you and Amos and your ministry and I saw a red and white rocket ship with a big flame shooting it high in the sky.  I believe that is your ministry moving fast and beyond."

Laura told her friend about the painting that evening of the rocket ship.  This is the response of the woman who had the vision of the rocket ship:

"Oh my goodness.  This made me smile SO much!!!!!  God is SO good and SO faithful.  This made my day.  Thank you for sharing this with me!!"

I just love how God weaves confirmation of what He is saying to us!  I also received another testimony of confirmation from a gentleman at reviveFLORIDA, this is what Evan Campbell sent me:

Rocket ship: 17 January 2016

(Word from the Lord Sunday night service to launch Revive Sarasota) 

"Evan, you will see and do things this week you've never seen before and so will others. This is a week of launching...for you and others. Prepare for acceleration like you have not seen and ensure others launch as well.

This was confirmed by Mindi's painting of the rocket ship a few days later. In fact, while you were still painting the background, or what would become the sky and stars, my spirit knew that you would paint something about this vision this week. I didn't expect it to be right then but I thank the Lord for the confirmation."

Thank you Laura and Evan for sharing your testimonies!  It's so fun to be a small part of the greater picture the Lord is doing.  I also wanted to mention that Kyle spoke that evening on dreams and visions.  Kyle mentioned 19 different verses in the Bible that tells of God speaking to people through dreams and visions.  These are usually for direction, declarations to respond in obedience to what the Lord is saying. In this you will see the fruit.  And they still happen today!

All week we heard testimony after testimony of "firsts" for people.  Those who saw healing for the first time, received visions, shared the Gospel for the first time, had someone come to Christ for the first time, say YES to disciple a new believer for the first time!  It was even the first time that many different churched came together in unity and went out on the streets all together.  So awesome!

T.J. Green, a pastor and revivalist, and fellow Albertan, guest blogs today, giving us a timely and beautiful writing on a spiritual renaissance we are stepping into through creativity.  So many people overlook their creative identity and how much the world needs us to express what the Lord has given us.  We were all created to create and can influence culture.  Thank you T.J. for a powerful writing that stirred in my heart to dream bigger.  

Please click here to learn more about T.J. Green Ministries and his love for family and the Body of Christ.

Spiritual Renaissance

The world needs another renaissance.  Not just a physical awakening to creativity but a spiritual one.  When I say “NEEDS," I don’t believe we can over emphasis how much the earth is groaning in eager expectation for the manifestations of the sons and daughters of the living God.  Did you know the first thing that God did was create?  The Creator created you in His image to create. I don’t care who you are, you are creative because its in your God given DNA.  You may have even said the statement over yourself that you are not a creative person. I refuse to believe that anyone having the fullness of God living on the inside of Him is not also destined to create.  My hope and prayer in writing this article is that it will stir up the artists, designers, film makers, anthem writers, photographers, poets, and inventors within the Christian community and encourage you to dream and to take risk.  As well, I’d like to charge Christian leaders to create and nurture a free culture where imagination is celebrated.  Religion despises creativity because it loves control and thats exactly what happened in the dark ages.  The age that we are heading into will either be a dark age or an enlightened one and the church’s vote counts.  What I’m praying for is a spiritual age of enlightenment that coincides with a cultural age of enlightenment.

David was a friend of God. Because of his intimacy with the Lord, he was given secrets way ahead of his time.  For instance, lets take Psalms 22 into consideration.  Listen as David writes a song describing in detail how Jesus died on the cross ages before the Romans had invented crucifixion. Psalms 22:16 says, 'They pierce my hands and my feet.  All my bones are on display; people stare and gloat over me.  They divide my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment.'

It seems to me that artists and song writers like David have the God given ability to be ahead of their time.  Just like pioneers are the first to break ground in a new country, so it is ready to build a new society. King David had to sing the anthems of Jesus to prepare the world for His Kingdom to come.  What if the earth is again needing to be prepared for the second coming of Christ? Who will sing the songs and write the anthems to prepare the earth for a whole new world?

Blaze Pascal a French economist said, “Its not those who write the laws that have the greatest impact on society, but those who write the songs.”  I believe the most influential people in the world are not the politicians, but the song writers.  Its the artist who will influence culture and society.   

I remember being so bored with a lot of Christian music and especially worship music growing up.   It seemed incredibly generic, cookie cutter and, dare I say it, stale.  In my later teenage years I worked in the Christian music industry and it was so easy to see whatever trends were big in the world, if we waited for a year or so, we could have the Christian version of that cd on our shelves.  I longed for something original that wasn’t a carbon copy of something already produced.  I don’t think that I was looking for a product. I was looking for an emotional and spiritual connection.  A musical expression that was passionate and genuine is hard to come by these days because there is nothing new under the sun.  There is a real danger of art becoming a mass produced generic swamp. 

When I was introduced to some of IHOP and Bethel’s music it opened up a whole new world of worship to me that I had never before experienced.  In the purity of that movement something amazing was taking place.  Because of their emphasis on a real connection with God the sounds and the song that were coming out of them were incredibly fresh, spiritually inspired, and anointed.  To our great disappointment creative and inspired art doesn’t always inspire creativity but duplicity.  Creativity will be in danger of being reduced to the lowest common denominator if we allow inspiration to be mass produced.  Instead of singing our own God given song sometimes its easier to sing someone else’s revelation.  The world doesn’t need another copy of a Rembrandt. 

Never forget the power of your song.  Can you imagine writing songs so epic that God himself decides to immortalize them into His best seller of all time. The biggest book in the Bible is a song book and we are still singing the anthems in our churches that David wrote thousands of years before Christ.  That should tell us something right there.  Some have speculated that David heard heavenly sounds that he couldn’t reproduce on his instruments so he actually invented new instruments. 

Amos 6:5 'That chant to the sound of the viol, [and] invent to themselves instruments of music like David.'

Even though there is nothing new under the sun I believe there are new pictures, and sounds that have not been released on the earth.  The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 2:9 'What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived -- the things God has prepared for those who love him.'

I once had a dream that one of my musical acquaintances who lived in the United States was inventing a guitar pedal that had a mixture of sounds being combined to create an entirely new sound.   In the dream it was like I could see the sound waves bending and vibrating into a beautiful discovery.  The next day I called my friend excited to share my dream with him.  To my delight he informed me that he was in fact working on a new pedal and the patent for his new design was being drawn up that day.  So many inventions that have changed our world have come through people who dare to take risks and dream with God.  

The world needs the Creator to create in you and through you the expressions of heaven. The time is now for a revival of creativity, and for a spiritual renaissance to awaken the world to true love.  There are inventions, art, songs, books, and films that are waiting to be written.  I hope this inspires the psalmist in you to be a friend of God and a pioneer who will understand the power of your song.

- T.J. Green

"Art of Love" by Mindi Oaten

As 2015 comes to close, I can’t help but be extremely thankful for all that I was able to accomplish this year. None of it would have been possible if it wasn’t for God. I know that sounds like a line from an acceptance speech, but in all seriousness, it was all done by the guidance, leading and strength from the Lord.

You know that line, “it’s all who you know” when it comes to advancing… you need to know the right people and at the right time, kind-of-thing? I have to chuckle a little because when you know Jesus, put your life into His hands, He will do remarkable things you can’t even try to accomplish on your own. You don’t have to strive to position yourself, get in front of the “right” people to get a “break,” He is all you need. He makes the paths straight and the doors open. Trust, patience, communication and obedience are all it takes.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

My 2015 is a testimony of this.

It all began with an open door in January. My cousin Kyle texted me a simple message, “Hey it’s your cousin, we are seeing a move of God breaking out in Indiana. The Lord laid you on my heart this morning to come down and prophetic paint on stage. Have you ever done this before? Would you be willing to come?”

Open doors require action. This was an opportunity I couldn’t refuse. No matter how scary that sounded, I knew it was God holding the door wide open to what He’d already prepared for me by speaking to me through a dream, through prophetic words from others, through a shift in my heart and a spoken word to me about returning to my art, that He would take me places if I do it for Him.

The year before I had a hunger for more of God and He sure showed up. I dug into the Word, studied and learned to hear His voice, so what He was preparing me for – something I didn’t dream would actually happen – fell in my lap. When that happens, it’s go time.

reviveINDIANA:

One trip and 4 paintings later turned into 11 more trips to 7 different cities in Indiana, 48 paintings and a celebration I’ll never forget. If you told me I would paint in a stadium with over 6,000 people, I would of laughed. There is no way to prepare you for some of the experiences we had in reviveINDIANA.

I remember the first painting, on January 28, 2015, with trembling hands; I got up on stage and took a deep breath. I had only done this twice before, on a much smaller scale and smaller canvas. I really had no idea what I was doing…all I knew was when God is on it, He will be your strength. So, I asked Him to take over my hand, calm my fear and “First Love” came out of it.

Looking back, I find it so fitting that “First Love” was the beginning of my adventure in prophetic art. It will always be a reminder of staying true to my first love, in Jesus Christ. It all starts here.

After reviveINDIANA, we ventured to Mississippi for reviveTUPELO. God opened more doors and I got to see the birthplace of Elvis Presley. It was a site of humbling beginnings and the birthplace of rock n’ roll. Let’s just say, worship was awesome in Tupelo!

In November my husband was able to join me on a cruise we will never forget. Time to Revive was invited to board the Celebrity Summit Cruise line in San Juan, Puerto Rico to reviveSOUTHERNCARIBBEAN islands. This was a perfect time of relaxation, fun in the sun and sharing the Gospel to the people on the islands of Tortola, Grenada, St. Lucia, St. Kitts, and St. Thomas. Painting on a cruiseship was something I would have never dreamed of doing. It was truly unforgettable.

The last trip of 2015 was to Dallas, TX to paint for the Time to Revive annual banquet. “Here We Go” was a prophetic vision to wrap up all we did in 2015 and also launch us into 2016. Pack your bags to go out into the harvest. It’s time.

I completed 56 prophetic paintings in 2015 with Time to Revive. I also did a 30-day mini painting series of rest in my studio. (And completed several commissions during my time home).   I learned to never limit your abilities to accomplish goals. I had no idea I could paint this much art in one year. No clue.

2015 taught me to break off the chain of fear, nothing is impossible for God and with God. I learned perseverance and endurance, how to rest well to keep going, function on little sleep and no preparation. Walk by the Holy Spirit, trusting and learning to hear His voice. I saw the fruit and miracles by walking in obedience to the voice of the Lord. I saw the Body of Christ come together in unity, mobilize, equip and GO OUT to share the love of Jesus. I gained friendships that will last a lifetime, gathered a list of precious people I continue to pray for, and have a greater hunger to see God move and know Him more.

2016 I look forward to new levels. I have great anticipation for what’s coming. As the Body of Christ press into the calling and assignment the Lord has for each and every one of us, we will see the unexpected. We all have a mission field and a calling. The area the Lord has given you talents, dreams and a sphere of influence right where you are…is your mission. If He’s given you dreams and desires for more, ask Him to line up the path for your destiny. Be patient in His timing, it is perfect.

THANK YOU to all who supported me this year! Thank you for collecting little treasures of my art, for the prayer support from so many of you and the encouragement.

2016… Here We Go! I’m so pumped.

Blessing for a fabulous, adventurous NEW YEAR!

All Glory to Him,

Mindi

Product Update:

I am so excited to now offer a STRETCHED CANVAS PRINT option on my website!  You will now find the option in my sizing pull-down, the option to choose a flat print on canvas or a pre-stretched canvas print option.  Also added is more information on my FAQ page.

The pre-stretched option is printed on the same fine art quality canvas, then stretched on a wood frame with a 1-inch depth, stapled and wired ready to hang.  It is also sealed with a UV protective coating for maximum protection.  This option eliminates the need to frame the print after receiving it. It is ready to hang!  (It's also a personal preference on how you would like it to look on the wall).

Now you have even more options to display my prints, creating unique ways to suit your personality. You can now choose:

1. Pre-stretched Canvas Prints (looks like the original canvas)

2. Flat canvas prints that you can be creative in framing yourself.  Frame with or without a mat.  Under glass or dry mount.  Or stretch them yourself over a wood stretcher bar.  Options are unlimited.

Create Your Own Encouragment Wall:

This past year, I have had fun creating what I am calling "encouragement walls" in my home.  A collection of visual reminders of God's character and goodness. A collection of reminders of where I've been, what the Lord is doing and saying, promises and reminders of the hope we have in Christ.  Art is a wonderful visual reminder of the beauty around us, a depiction that lifts our spirit and speaks directly to our heart. 

Things you may collect to create an "Encouragement Wall":

- Photo's of people dear to you, family and friends.  Relationships that are meaningful and people who encourage and inspire you.  

- Photo's or depictions of things you are thankful for.

- Prophetic Art reminders of God speaking hope and life into you.  Art that displays God's character.  

- Objects that hold meaning and speak to you.  (i.e. I have a key hung up... it reminds me of the key to life I have in Christ Jesus)

- Word Art of encouragment.  Word art is so big lately.  Also chalkboards!  These are great ways to display sayings, scripture, a word that you are encouraged by.  Words that hold truth.  

(My only stipulation is whatever is on this wall speaks life, not remind me of something negative or displays strongholds of the past.  Don't let things keep you in the past...create a visual of hope for the future.  Hope in who you are created to be.  Promises and pictures of life abundantly.) 

"No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead," (Philippians 3:13)

A wall of encouragment is a great way to visually bring hope.  We all need encouragement, sometimes more desperately than other days.  Biblical hope is much different than worldly hope, like a wish. Hope coupled with faith in God is a mighty power in our lives. Hope in ourselves alone just isn’t enough when the journey of life gets hard. Hope in God and in His power and strength to meet our needs is true encouragement for the soul. Hope in God is the anchor that holds us in the storms of life. Our eternal hope has already been solidified in Jesus, we have confident expectation in the hope of our future. 

"But encourage one another daily," (Hebrews 3:13)

Bless you all today and have fun being creative, collecting visuals that are personal to you for your very own "encouragement wall."

Mindi

Sitting in my studio this past week, contemplating what to work on, I stared at 3 unfinished pieces that have sat there half done for almost a year. Yes, that’s right… a whole year. Have you ever put a project or something on the back-burner so long that you forget about it? Or let time slip by so long you have no motivation to finish what you started? New, fresh ideas take over that seem better or more important, so the old just sits unfinished.

As I stared at those paintings, something came over me to get them done. I had a sudden burst of energy to revisit the unfinished work and complete it.  

I believe everything we do, every moment really, can be a chance to learn and grow when we take a look at it from heaven’s perspective. What is the Lord saying to me about this circumstance? I’ve learned that God is constantly speaking to us in every moment if we learn to hear Him. So, I asked, “What happened to these paintings I was once so excited to paint? Where did the lack of motivation and focus go that I neglected them for a year?” I stared at “Restored Beauty” the grey background with a sketch of antlers in white paint. The larger canvas with a blue background and a simple sketch of another antler, sat beside it. That was as far as I got. Starring at canvases with sketches of bones.

I remembered back to my initial plan to complete the paintings… I planned to do a series of antler paintings adorned with blossoming, beautiful flowers. When I started the paintings a year ago, antlers were quite popular in decorating and design, you would see them everywhere. Then the Lord reminded me of why I neglected them; I had a different mindset of looking at them from a worldly perspective. I had a fear that I wouldn’t be original enough because they were so popular, even though I loved the look. I over thought them to the point of not finishing them, because I was afraid to paint a subject matter that was trendy. Isn't that so silly?  

Boy have I come along way from that thinking… now I just do. I look at things from a different perspective. It doesn’t matter what things look like on the outside, if they are "trendy" or not, it’s the meaning that makes the difference.  The timing to revisiting these paintings were perfect.

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will." (Romans 12:2)

Recently the Lord has been speaking to me about restoration. It is the subject that keeps coming back to me over and over. How He is restoring all things, making old things new.  I have dreams and ideas of this very subject written in my journal over the past several months. As I looked at the subject matter of the paintings I started, antlers with intensions of adding beautiful flowers to them… the Lord lead me to Ezekiel 37, along with many other verses in the Bible about restoration. He spoke to me about the strength and dominion of the Kingdom of Heaven being restored, new life sprouting out of dry bones.  My sudden burst of energy to finish what I had intended with these paintings a year ago was the Holy Spirit giving me new eyes to see what He is saying.  He ministered to my heart with the hope we have in Him as I layered pinks and greens of new life onto the canvas.

The initial motivation for painting these were just because I wanted a set of antlers on my wall, but I didn’t feel connected, obviously not enough to follow through with them to finish. But now I see the paintings in a whole new way…

As a representation of restoring old bones, adorning them into something new. From death to life.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

God restores.  He beautifully weaves restoration into the lives of those who allow Him to work. 

This is my collection of restoration.  

I posted a couple photo's this morning on FB of this little advent project I've been working on for my kids... a friend posted that I should 'Blog it', so I thought good idea. 

This is a super fun way to do an advent calendar with your kids, or family of any age, using Scripture cards that tell the Christmas story of our Saviour's birth.  This year I wanted to focus on the true meaning of Christmas as family time with my kids.  We plan on opening one advent bag each night before dinner, read the scripture in the Bible, discuss and share a little treat.  Christmas can get so busy with the hustle and bustle, this will be a great way to have a devotion time with the family each night leading up to Christmas Day.

I can't take credit for any of the ideas, I got them all off Pinterest - and growing up my mom did this with us.  It was one of my favourite memories that I'm excited to pass on to my kids.

Supplies:

I got all the items from 3 stores: The Dollar Store, Michaels & Bulk Barn. (in Canada)

-The Scripture Cards were downloaded off a free printable site: click here to download

-White acrylic paint (you can use craft paint from a dollar store)

-Sponge brush

-Number stencil (found at Michaels)

-25 burlap bags with draw string (I found at the Dollar Store)

-25 treats, candies, ornaments, crafts, stickers, etc. to fill each bag (I have 3 boys, so I found 3 of each thing to be equal...) Some items I had only one thing (ex: baby Jesus figurine) and added 3 little candies for each of the kids.  

-burlap string to tie on my ladder (I already had the ladder...I've seen branches used, hung from a curtain rods, put in a basket, so many fun ways to display!)

That's it!!  Have fun creating memories with your kids and sharing with them the true meaning of Christmas.  

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6)

"The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:14)

I plan on using those little close-pins (bought at Michaels) to clip the scripture card on the front of each bag as we open them.  Then we can count down the days to Christmas...

Happy Christmas Preparation!  May the focus be on the One who bridged the gap, bringing Heaven to Earth...Jesus Christ.  Thank you Father for sending your son to die for us so we can have life abundantly, here and now. 

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)

Many Blessings,

Mindi

My husband and I had the privilege to travel with Time to Revive this past week, to the Southern Caribbean islands aboard a Celebrity Cruise.   Our focus was to balance rest and relaxation at the same time as sharing the love of Christ with people on the islands. The combination was truly amazing. We are continuing to learn that walking with the Holy Spirit isn’t just something you do when you feel like it; it’s a lifestyle that should never be turned off. Even while on the cruise ship, we found divine appointments set up by the Lord to touch people’s lives.

Prophetic painting on a cruise ship was a first for me. Learning to adapt to our environments was another focus on our trip. As we go out to advance the Kingdom of God, we need to be able to roll with any circumstance we are put in. Getting over the nausea of the sea the first few days, I thoroughly enjoyed the challenge and adventure of painting on the ship.

The painting that set the stage for myself was the anchor. With the obvious of being on a ship surrounded by nothing but sea, it was a reminder of the hope anchored in Christ.

Hebrews 6:19-20

“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf.”

We are secure tethered to the cross. The hope set out before us that have already been secured by Jesus. We have nothing to fear. He has gone before us, for us.

On two of our port stops, Grenada and St. Lucia, the Lord opened the doors for us to join with local churches to train, equip and go out together to share the Gospel to the locals. In only 2 short hours on the streets, we had 65 people to follow up with in Grenada and 77 people in St. Lucia! The islands are hungry for the love of Jesus. We continue to pray for the people there as they continue to revive the islands.

We are all like pearls in the Kingdom. Waiting to be discovered. Every person on earth is a precious pearl inside a shell that often we don’t deem valuable or worth anything.   God sees everyone precious. Every person can be restored, discovered and is valuable in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Matthew 13:45

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls.”

One of the highlights for myself was seeing the need to love and serve the workers on the ship. The Lord opened doors for us to have the workers on the ship meet after their shifts at 11:00pm to have a worship service. We were there to serve them. Pour into their needs to get rest and refueling in the Lord. Crew workers from all different nations of the world met together as we prayed, sang, ministered, gave prophetic words and encouragement. We saw many come to Christ and the light shone brighter on the ship. The atmosphere shifted through the halls and rooms on the boat. It was incredible.

This will be an experience I will never forget. Enjoying fellowship, meeting new friends, soaking up the sun, fun, rest and ministry all at the same time.  

Bless you all today!

Mindi

*the paintings will be added to my website shortly.

Last week I had the privilege of traveling to Tupelo, MS to prophetic paint with Time to Revive. It was an incredible time. We experienced the Lord move in a mighty way. I love watching and being part of the body of Christ come together in unity. It is the most powerful thing to experience…not about one person, about one denomination or an event; it’s about the common core of our faith…Jesus.

The first night I arrived, I painted “Come to the Table”. I received this vision a few days before heading to Tupelo. As I was praying for the area, the Lord showed me a picture of an empty wooden table in a field. He said, “Come. Come to the table and bring nothing but yourself.” I felt the significance of the table being in a field. It was outside, in His kingdom not in a building. It's an invitation right in front of us, waiting for fellowship with the Spirit. As believers we carry the Kingdom wherever we go. Come to the table, just yourself. He prepares the table before you. Empty yourself so the Holy Spirit can move through you. Often times it’s not the way we think or want in our human flesh, the Lord has different plans – much better plans than what we come up with. Empty yourself from agenda’s, plans, meetings, “the way we do things” and just come with hunger for God to move. Let God be God.

The second day I was there, I kept seeing a mental picture of a door. There was this open door in the Spirit and all we have to do is open it and walk through. This requires action and obeidence.  The door represented different layers of openings. First the open door to those who meet Jesus for the first time. Scripture says, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.” (Revelation 3:20) Jesus is waiting patiently, knocking at the door for salvation, forgiveness, freedom and life. This door is for every person who enters. The second layer I felt was for the Church to open the door of breakthrough of more in the Spirit. Cast out strongholds and step into a deeper level of breakthrough in the Spirit. The door of humility and unity. At the end of the day we all enter the Kingdom through the same door, the door of the simple Gospel.

The third night was so much fun. The day before I went to Elvis Presley’s childhood home. What a humbling site of small beginnings. Our worship leader, Jon and I had a wonderful discussion on worship that evening. I had a vision of black and white guitar exploding into color as it played. The Lord spoke to me about a breakthrough in the area of worship for the region. It was one of those “doors” for breakthrough. Reviving old roots of music, which is so strong to this area, it is the “birthplace of America’s music” after all.   The key was to worship in unity, let everything go and simply worship with one voice. That morning in prayer time, Kyle felt the Lord wanted to release an impartation of worship. Wow. As we worshiped I felt angels with fire dropping on all those who were open to receive a deeper level for the heart of worship. It was a morning I will never forget. A new sound. 

The fourth day I woke up with a violent stomach attack. It wasn’t very fun, but I rested through it and took the day to read the Word and pray for a word to paint that evening. In the later afternoon, I felt the urge to go outside for fresh air. I didn’t realize the door locked behind me, so I found myself locked out of the house. Before I panicked I felt the Lord had a reason for me to be out there…I was forced to sit outside in His presence. It was the most beautiful time I’ve had in a long time. I look around at my surroundings, a yard full of towering oak trees. They were magificent and huge. The Lord spoke to me about the army of rising oaks. He spoke of the component of planting seeds in good soil for deep roots to run. With the heartbeat of discipleship emerging, the roots grow deep and can't be shaken. It was a sweet time where I was assured of the word He spoke to me a month earlier of “roots to run.” “Display His Splendor” was a painting that came out of simply being in the beauty of my surroundings and communicating with the Lord. God speaks to us in such amazing ways. He is very creative in connecting the dots.

Lastly, I painted “Pouring Out,” a picture of what I saw in the Spirit over the people of Tupelo and beyond. As they unite stronger and stronger with the simple Gospel, the Holy Spirit will keep pouring out His mighty living water. It was refreshing to paint. 

I am grateful for Tupelo! Humbled and thankful to be part of a small piece of a greater plan God is unfolding. Thank you Tupelo for the warm welcome and amazing time. May God continue the spark and ignite revival throughout the Church…